I wish to ask the Minister for Finance the following question, of which I have given him private notice:—Whether the recent Press reports in connection with the Ford Factory have any basis; and, if so, whether it is intended to introduce proposals for legislation to allow into the Saorstát free of duty motor cars or motor parts?

The question of facilities for the Ford Factory at Cork has been receiving the consideration of the Government, and a decision will be come to in the immediate future. Even, however, if it should be decided to proceed on the lines that the Deputy presumably has in mind, and no unexpected difficulties were encountered, a considerable time, which might be as much as twelve months, would inevitably elapse before a Bill could be introduced altering in any way the existing legislation with regard to the importation of motor cars or motor parts.